Emission Control System Light Warning

[OliSmi]

I have a 53 plate 2.0 TDI A3. The emission control system light has just decided to make an appearance on my way home and I have to be honest im dreading taking it to the garage. Can anyone give me an idea of what the problem is likely to be or what its likely to cost me best and worst case. Also am I safe to carry on driving it until I can get the several billion pouds together it costs every time my car throws a strop!

If it helps to identify the problem at all I had just filled up
with fuel when the light came on and i did let it run rather a little below the red line.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[MHAD]

Hi,

I have exactly the same problem on my 04 plate 2.0TDI - the light came on over the weekend.

Were you able to get the bottom of it without going to a dealer?

I'm considering buying the software and cable off ebay, but I'm not experienced so would worry about messing things up ! :(

[Moonraker]

Had the same thing with a 53 plate at one year old while on holiday in Scotland - no dealer near so had to leave it. It went out after 2 days and when I did get to a dealer they found nothing wrong.

It came on intermittently the next 2 summers but stayed off during the winter. As there was no change in performance, fuel consumption, visible exhaust or engine sound (Advice given by a dealer when the similar light appeared on a petrol engined car. Basically, if there was a problem the ecu would change to 'limp home' mode and you would notice it. If you couldn't notice a difference there was no problem just an electronics glitch that needed a reset done to the computer). With the experience of the previous year I left it and it sailed through the MOT emissions check. I suspect the sensor is sensitive to environmental changes, particularly ambient temperature which would affect voltage.

If you have any concerns though you should still get it checked out.

[MHAD]

Thanks for the reply.

My light has stayed on permanently since it came on, just over three weeks now. There's no noticable change in performance at all - drives the same, sounds the same, exhales the same.

I did buy the cable & VAGCom, I'll be installing it onto my laptop and checking things out this weekend. I suspect I'll be taking a copy of the report to Awesome GTi an Irlam to see if they can put right whatever is wrong.

:o

[AudiYaLikeIt]

Hi guys, have just got the same problem on my '53 2.0TDI, was wondering how you resolved it?
Mine is latched on, my local specialist has cleared it (didn't seem to make sense of the fault code) but it has reappeared after two or three starts.

[a8 tech]

Post some fault codes and i will have a butchers

[AudiYaLikeIt]

fault code was (and I quote!) 'P2108 unknown fault mode 7 sporadic errors 475 speed sensor can fault'........should have thought of that myself?!

[a8 tech]

No ive never seen those codes and cant find them.Where they in abs or engine control unit as abs will store a fault if there is a fault in engine management

[AudiYaLikeIt]

I think that it was the engine management that was interrogated.
I suspect that the fault reader being used by the 'specialist' is not the usual audi equipment. May have to take it to main dealer, but the car's being traded in so was hoping not to spend too much.
Does the emissions light actually refer to the whole engine management system? Car seems to be running normally, apart from that light?!

[a8 tech]

I suspect the not so specialist was using bosh reader and yes the light is refering to engine management issues but the code may refer to linked systems ie drivetrain can issue.If you manage to get a vw dealer or vag com user to read the code then post it and and we will see

[AudiYaLikeIt]

thanks, will do - think you're correct re bosch reader

[a8 tech]

Sorry i said vw dealer forgot this was a3.

[AudiYaLikeIt]

OK, now I think we're getting somewhere....
VAG OM says:
1 Fault Found
19559 - Motor for Intake Manifold Flap (V157): Malfunction

[AudiYaLikeIt]

OK, now I think we're getting somewhere....
VAG OM says:
1 Fault Found
19559 - Motor for Intake Manifold Flap (V157): Malfunction
P3103 - 000 - -
Readiness: N/A

I'm aware that fault codes can be very misleading, but as a first step, presumably changing the above part would be a good idea??

[a8 tech]

Ok this is easy and common but expensive.The fuse box next to the battery there will be a blown 10 amp fuse about number 8 area.The motor internal shorts to earth and pops the fuse,you will have to replace the motor which isn't that demanding and replace the fuse and clear the fault code.The v157 shuts the air intake off when you turn the engine off and defaults to the open position so it will run as normal

[AudiYaLikeIt]

expensive?????? how expensive????

[a8 tech]

There about £300 AND THE FUSE IS POSITION 8 AS YOU STAND SIDE ON AT THE PASSENGER SIDE WING THE FUSE ROW NEAREST YOU THERE IS A RELAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST ROW RUNNING PARRLELL WITH THE WING THE FUSE POSTION 8 IS THERE.

[AudiYaLikeIt]

Unfortunately/fortunately, fuse 8 hasn't blown; a quick google suggests that if that was the problem it would also bring up a coolant fan error code, which it hasn't, together with P3102(mine gives P3103).
I'm tempted to take the valve off tomorrow, give it the kiss of life, a little tlc and refit - but I'm not optimistic, looks like a new one from the dealers!
Many thanks for your help so far.

[a8 tech]

You are correct about the fan.You can carry out a final control test when the engine is running with vag com and when v157 comes up for its test it should shut the flap and stall the engine.It is also known as a actuator test

[Tony Elphick]

My 1.9Tdi 100 Passat has the same problem. I got a code reader which comes up with DTC 01 then 17664 01/01. Can't find this in the manual or CD that came with the reader. LIkewise don't seem to get any effect on performance or economy. ANyone know what this code means?

[sewa3]

Hi some interesting reading about the emissions light.
I have an A3 2.0 FSI and just last week my emissions light came on. Took it too my local friendly garage and he ran a computer check on it and nothing came up so he reset it.
But then the next day (hadn't driven the car for 24hrs) the light came back on. Rang the garage and he yet again ran the checks and no codes came up so again reset the light. This was yesterday, i went out today and the light went out, yipee, but on my return journey, i started the engine again the light went out but as soon as i went to pull away low and behold the light came on AGAIN!!!!!
Help any suggestions as to what i should do now, a begrudge taking it to Audi as they'll charge me a fortune. The guy at the garage suggested that if it came on again to take to a someone who could perhaps take it back to its basic settings. Whatever that means?
Anyway just want the blasted irritating light to go away any advice greatfully received

[x11raj]

I have exactly the same problem with my 55 Touran 1.9 Tdi the light comes on then goes off - I am trading it in for a TT in the next few weeks and dont really want to spend any money on it does anyone have a quick fix suggestion??

[a8 tech]

you need to post some fault codes http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/Category:Fault_Codes

[MHAD]

Thanks for the reply.

My light has stayed on permanently since it came on, just over three weeks now. There's no noticable change in performance at all - drives the same, sounds the same, exhales the same.

I did buy the cable & VAGCom, I'll be installing it onto my laptop and checking things out this weekend. I suspect I'll be taking a copy of the report to Awesome GTi an Irlam to see if they can put right whatever is wrong.

:o

Hi folks,

I couldn't get my ebay-bought VAG-COM & cable to work, so I ended up just taking the car to Awesome GTi.

It means nothing at all to me, but they diagnosed that the Throttle Body needed replacing, based on fault code 19558 (motor for intake manifold flap V157 - no signal P3102-000 Intermittent).

I had this done by them - they used Audi parts and said that they had seen the same fault on 3 other cars in 3 months, and that the dealer had the kit in stock, suggesting that it was a known issue.

They advised that, if it was a known issue, I may be able to put a claim in to Audi about it and get my money back - it cost me £330 for the part and £100 labour, and that I obviously had to go to a specialist as the dealer couldn't fit me in.

Does anyone know how I can claim this from Audi? I called Customer Services (0800 699888) this morning but they weren't helpful. They said that because I'd had the work done outside the dealer network they wouldn't entertain the claim.

The 3 year warranty expired on 1st March 07, so I know I'm pushing things a bit but it's worth a good try.

Andy advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much,
MHAD

[RichieG]

I had this error on my 04 Golf 2.0 TDI, had it reset by local VW specialist, it came back after a couple of starts and then disappeared again.

My question: Does this mean it's now OK? And would this malfunction affect power if it was still partially present (i.e. not perfect, but not bad enough to keep the warning on?)

[AudiYaLikeIt]

As I understand it, if the light isn't on then the fault isn't there.
My case resulted in replacement of an inlet manifold flap valve (A3 2.0TDI), Audi did contribute towards the outrageous cost, car was about 6 months out of warranty.

[a8 tech]

Hi folks,

I couldn't get my ebay-bought VAG-COM & cable to work, so I ended up just taking the car to Awesome GTi.

It means nothing at all to me, but they diagnosed that the Throttle Body needed replacing, based on fault code 19558 (motor for intake manifold flap V157 - no signal P3102-000 Intermittent).

I had this done by them - they used Audi parts and said that they had seen the same fault on 3 other cars in 3 months, and that the dealer had the kit in stock, suggesting that it was a known issue.

They advised that, if it was a known issue, I may be able to put a claim in to Audi about it and get my money back - it cost me £330 for the part and £100 labour, and that I obviously had to go to a specialist as the dealer couldn't fit me in.

Does anyone know how I can claim this from Audi? I called Customer Services (0800 699888) this morning but they weren't helpful. They said that because I'd had the work done outside the dealer network they wouldn't entertain the claim.

The 3 year warranty expired on 1st March 07, so I know I'm pushing things a bit but it's worth a good try.

Andy advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks very much,
MHADYou have paid more labour than the dealer would have charged and if you had gone to warrington audi they would have tryed for goodwill and you may have only had to pay the labour £80 FOR THE 1 HOUR.:p

[mrmister]

Thanks for all the helpful posts on this topic.

Emission control light has just come on in my 54 Seat Altea 2.0TDi. Given most of the replies show this as an intermittent fault I'll leave it be for the time being and see if this light goes off. No loss in performance the only thing I've noticed in recent times is a slight clatter when turning the engine off, not sure if that may have contributed. After forking out £170 on tyres at the weekend I'm loathed to fork out any more just yet!

[jpk_ny]

I've just had Audi check mine with the same light and they said it's because of the Intake Manifold Flap. They said it will be 272.95 + VAT for the part and 73.50 + VAT labour - total of around 400.00.

They said that it controls the fuel/air mix and hence the fuel consumption may be reduced as it is overmixing.

They also said it is ok to drive until I can get it fixed as they've never heard of reciprocal damage from it.

[jtlowrey]

Audi A3 Quattro 3.2 here. I've had this light on and off over the last 2 weeks. It came on for about a week then I took it out for a vigourous spin (!) and the light went off for the weekend. Its back on now though and by the sounds of other comments its not looking too good :(

Think I may just take it into the dealer to save the hassle even though i'm about 6 months out of warrenty.